The grade five language arts program involves the
study of the novel Pit Pony by Joyce Barkhouse. Pit Pony
is the story of Willie who at the age of eleven went to
work in the coal mines of Cape Breton to support his
family. As the story unfolds we see the dangers and
abuses associated with having young children perform the
work of adults. Child labor issues emerge as a topic of
interest for students who find regular novel study
activities routine.

Ten students involved in our Enrichment Program will
research, write, and develop class presentations on
international child labor issues.

The project involves research, writing, and
presenting. The Internet, CD ROM, and normal print
materials from encyclopedias and periodicals will be used
as sources of information. Using the Internet, students
will identify web sites concerning international child
labor issues and download information that they will use
to answer questions which they will develop. Students
would become involved in on-line discussion sessions on
child labor issues and send/receive email to and from
individuals, organizations, and companies involved.

Many of the answers that they receive to their
questions will lead to other questions that can involve
additional research and writing. The end result will be a
research paper that will be presented and discussed in a
classroom presentation.

The main areas of the curriculum addressed through
this project are language arts, social studies, and
technology education. Amalgamated Academy is a Global
school. This project allows the integration of global
thinking and concepts into the normal curriculum. The
project meets the purpose and philosophy of the Global
school. This project meets the purpose and philosophy of
the Global schools movement. The completion of this
project will help us come closer to achieving Emerald
Status.

Intended Learning Outcomes

The specific learning outcomes that are addressed
through this project include, but are not limited to, the
following:

Understanding the place of technology in the
development of topics of interest.

Using on-line information sources to generate and
down-load information about specific topics.

Writing and communicating with understanding and
purpose for a variety of audiences.

Understanding the living and working conditions
of children in Newfoundland and Canada, and at an
international level.

Demonstrating competencies in written and oral
communication.

Resource Connections

The resources used in this project include, but are
not limited to, the following:

Networked (Windows NT) IBM compatible and
Macintosh computers equipped with WWW software
and a direct connection to the Internet.

Students will be evaluated on their interest,
enthusiasm, and work ethic as well as their ability to
reason intelligently about issues and problems on a
global scale. Their ability to efficiently use technology
as a tool in the department of their research papers and
their final presentations will also be noted. Students
will be evaluated on their ability to process information
and the quality of their written responses and classroom
presentations.

Students will be asked to give feedback on the nature
of the project and to assess the extent to which it
motivated and propelled them to further action.

Checklist:

___ Understands the place of technology in the
development of topics of interest.
___ Uses on-line information sources to generate
information about specific topics.
___ Downloads information related to the topic.
___ Uses computer technology to communicate in discussion
groups.
___ Sends and receives e-mail.
___ Writes and communicates with understanding and
purpose for a variety of audiences.
___ Understands the living and working conditions of
children in Newfoundland and Canada, and at an
international level.
___ Demonstrates competencies in written and oral
communication.

Teacher perceptions on the value of the project will
also ascertained through a questionnaire.